HCC GOVT2306 2021 March Complete Course Latest

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 1

Introduce yourself including your name, interests/ hobbies, what degree you are working on, and any other information you’d like to share.

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 2

What are the three things you like and dislike about Texas?

By clicking on the following link, you can access Best States Rankings by U.S. News & World Report to assist you in answering the question.  

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 3

Before the end of the year you will gather in Austin to change the Texas constitution as it exists today. You have been given authority to revise, delete, and/or add new amendments to this legal document. Please provide at least three (3) examples of how you would change this document as it exists today. You can access a copy of the current Texas Constitution by clicking on the following link

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/ (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 4

Considering most of you all live in or near Houston and Harris County, what are the three biggest challenges facing the city and county.

You can access a copy of the 2020 Kinder Houston Area Survey by clicking on the following link.

https://kinder.rice.edu/sites/default/files/documents/KI%202020%20Houston%20Area%20Survey%20Report_0.pdf (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 5

Should the Texas legislature meet more frequently? Should Texas lawmakers be paid more? Should there be term limits for members of the legislative branch in Texas? By clicking on the following link, you can access an article about the part-time nature of the Texas legislature to assist you in answering the question.  

https://www.texastribune.org/2017/12/08/hey-texplainer-why-does-texas-have-part-time-legislature/   (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 6

Should there be term limits for the Texas Governor? What is your opinion regarding the plural executive in Texas? If you were the Governor of Texas how would you address the COVID-19 crisis? By clicking on the following link, you can access an article about Governor Abbott and the strategies he has embraced in order to confront the pandemic.

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/22/texas-shelter-in-place-coronavirus-cases/ (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 7

Is justice for sale in Texas? How should Texas judges get their jobs? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the system you have selected? You can access a video on this subject by clicking on the following link

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02192010/profile2.html (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 8

What is your opinion regarding the Texas voter ID law? Which party supports it, why? Which party opposes it, why? By clicking on the following link, you can access information from the Texas Secretary of State concerning the voter ID law in Texas to assist you in answering the question.

https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/need-id.htmlLinks to an external site.

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 9

Why is voter turnout so low in Texas? What historical and contemporary factors in Texas have helped create an atmosphere of depressed participation in the political process? By clicking on the following link, you can access an article about low voter turnout in Texas to assist you in answering the question.

https://www.texastribune.org/2018/02/23/texas-voter-turnout-electorate-explainer/ (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 10

with and one thing you disagree with for both parties. Please use the following format.

Texas Republican Party Platform agree:

Texas Republican Party Platform disagree:

Texas Democratic Party Platform agree:

Texas Democratic Party Platform disagree:

https://www.texasgop.org/platform/ (Links to an external site.)

 (Links to an external site.)

https://www.texasdemocrats.org/our-party/texas-democratic-party-platform/ (Links to an external site.)

Due to the polarization within the electorate, Republicans and Democrats, you have been selected by a large movement in Texas to create a new political party. For your “initial post” you must include the following about the new party using the following format:

Create a name

Provide a one sentence motto (What does your party stand for?)

Determine the party’s positions on these major issues facing Texans:

        a. Immigration reform

        b. Improving education

        c. The tax system

        d. Improving healthcare

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 11

There are around 100,000 associations and interest groups in the United States. Nearly two out of every three Americans at some point will belong to a group or association. Individuals who have a higher socio-economic status such as yourselves are more likely to belong to a group or association. I would like you to do some research and tell me three groups or associations you would like to join and the reasons why. Are interest groups beneficial in Texas politics? What are the advantages and disadvantages? By clicking on the following link, you can access a website that provides information about several groups and associations.

https://votesmart.org/interest-groups#.XpKZyXJ7nb0 (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the question and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 12

In your opinion what policies should be implemented to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Texas? What impact will your decisions have on the physical and mental health of Texans, along with the economy of the state?

The following link provides information about Governor Abbott’s response to the crisis.

https://www.statesman.com/news/20200425/politics-behind-abbottrsquos-most-consequential-decision (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 13

What is your position regarding the death penalty in Texas? What are the advantages of disadvantages of the death penalty in Texas?

The following links provide information and facts about the death penalty in Texas and the U.S. https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/death_row/ (Links to an external site.)

https://files.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/pdf/FactSheet.f1585003454.pdf  (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 14

What type of tax structure (progressive, regressive, etc.) is best for Texas? Should Texas implement a state income tax?

The following link is an article regarding a state income tax in Texas.

https://www.texastribune.org/2019/10/09/texas-doesnt-have-income-tax-and-isnt-getting-one-any-time-soon/ (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Discussion 15

Where do you get your news and information from? What steps do you take in order to prevent the spread of fake news? What is your opinion of local, state, and federal officials concerning their response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

The following link is a list of Texas media outlets.

https://lrl.texas.gov/currentIssues/newsMedia.cfm (Links to an external site.)

The following link is an article regarding public opinion concerning the coronavirus.

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/24/texas-coronavirus-poll-economy-jobs/ (Links to an external site.)

In order to get full credit for the discussion students must answer the questions and provide a 300-word response. In addition, you must also respond to two of your peers’ posts. Each peer response must be at least 100 words.

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Research Paper

GOVT 2306 Research Paper Requirements and Grading

Assignment details:

1. Select a current Texas political issue and briefly describe the issue and what the different viewpoints are. For example, the topic could be legalization of marijuana in Texas. The viewpoints are either for legalization or against it.

2. Research the topic using three professional sources (books, journals, newspapers, magazines, or websites that end in .org, .edu, or .gov) and compare and contrast the different viewpoints and positions on your topic. Fully address the different sides of the issue and demonstrate an understanding of its complexities.

3. Draw a personal conclusion based on your analysis of the issue and present an informed evaluation from the evidence.

4. Your paper will include the body of work and a Works Cited Page (list or resources used).

5. Submit your paper through Canvas by the due date as posted in the Course Syllabus.

Fyi, the paper will automatically be ran through a program that checks for plagiarism. Plagiarized work will receive a grade of zero (0) with no opportunity for make-up. Requirements for formatting your paper:

• Completed in Microsoft Word

• Use MLA (Modern Language Association) Formatting

o Details and helpful information can be found at

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

• 12 or 14 inch font

• Verdana font

• Double spaced

Grading Basics:

• The body of the research paper must be a minimum of 1,000 words.

• The research paper must be original work from the student and may not be recycled from a different class. In other words, if you’ve already submitted the paper in a different class, ever, you may not use it for this assignment. All information must be properly cited using in-text citations; place the author (e.g.,Brown) or the source name (e.g., U.S. Census Bureau) in parenthesis after paraphrasing their work.

• Use 3 separate professional sources.

• Information from sources must be paraphrased and not quoted. Do not put any quotes within your paper. The resources cited within the body of the work must match the listed resources on the Works Cited page

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Exam 1

Question 1The war that led to the declaration of the Republic of Texas began

  with the battle at the Alamo.

  within months of the arrival of the first American settlers.

  in 1835.

  when the Spanish government imposed restrictions on American settlers.

Question 2Which of the following is NOT a reason the population in Texas has been growing?

  Federal relocation programs

  Increasing birth rates

  Migration from other states

  Migration from other countries

Question 3In terms of population size, Texas ranks _________ in the nation in comparison to other states.

  third

  fourth

  first

  second

Question 4Compared to other states, Texas has.

  Lower poverty rates and higher population growth

  Higher poverty rates and lower population growth

  Lower poverty rates and lower population growth

  Higher poverty rates and higher population growth

Question 5Figure 1.3 Percentage Change in Population for the 15 Most Populous States, 2010—2015

SOURCE: Adapted from U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Table 2. Cumulative Estimates of Resident Population Change for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico and Region and State Rankings: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015; http://www.census.gov/popest/data/State/totals/2015/index.html.

According to Figure 1.3 in the text, what can be determined about population change in Texas?

  Population growth in Texas is lower than the national average

  Population in Texas has grown about twice the national rate.

  Population growth in Texas is the same as the national average.

  Population growth in Texas is about the same as most states.

Question 6From 2008-2012, Texas’s unemployment rate

  was about the national average.

  was the highest in the nation.

  was among the highest in the nation.

  was lower than the national average.

 Question 7Who led the Army of the Gulf in a show of force designed to discourage French support of the Confederacy?

  Ulysses S. Grant

  Alfred H. Terry

  Nathaniel P. Banks

  Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing

Question 8What is the main reason why early petitions by the Republic of Texas to join the United States were rejected?

  The American government feared sparking a war with Spain.

  Texas residents favored monarchy, not republicanism.

  Texas was composed almost entirely of Catholic Spanish speakers.

  There was controversy over Texas becoming a slave state.

Question 9One of the primary political goals for Reconstruction was

  to reintroduct slavery, in a limited way, in several Southern states.

  to allow Northern states to be readmitted to the Union.

  to restore law and order to a society recovering from war.

  to undermine the economy in the Southern states.

Question 10Which of the following elements dominated the land-based economy of post-Reconstruction Texas and is/are still important today?

  cotton and oil only

  oil, cotton, and cattle

  oil and cattle only

  cattle only

Question 11What BEST explains why Texas turned from a Democratic stronghold in the 1930s to a Republican stronghold in the 2000s?

  The national Democratic Party just assumed it would always control Texas.

  The Democratic Party paid little attention to recruiting strong candidates for political office.

  Texans on average become more conservative over time.

  The Democratic Party become more liberal over time.

 Question 12Which region of the state is known primarily for its production of citrus fruits and vegetables?

  Central Corridor

  Plains region

  Border area

  Gulf Coast region

Question 13Which of the following is an example of “luck” that limited Texas’s exposure to the ravages of the Civil War?

  the successful show of force by the Army of the Gulf

  Maximilian’s long reign in Mexico

  Native American occupation west of the Balcones Escarpment

  official French support of the Confederacy

Question 14A belief that government is a positive instrument for change and a means for promoting the general welfare of all citizens defines which political subculture?

  traditionalistic

  individualistic

  moralistic

  neoconservative

Question 15Which of the following best characterizes the partisan nature of Texas over the past 60 years?

  Texas has evolved from a one-party Democratic state to a conservative state.

  Texas has evolved from a one-party Democratic state to a one-party Republican state.

  Texas has evolved from a one-party state to a mulitiparty state.

  Texas has evolved from a one-party Republican state to a one-party Democratic state.

Question 16Of the six flags flown over Texas, which represented republics?

  Texas and Mexico

  France and Mexico

  the CSA and France

  Spain and France

Question 17Members of which of the following groups are most likely to identify themselves as Republican?

  evangelical Protestants

  agnostics

  Roman Catholics

  Protestants of the black church tradition

Question 18Figure 1.3 in the text, Percentage Change in Population for the 15 Most Populous States, 2010—2015

SOURCE: Adapted from U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Table 2. Cumulative Estimates of Resident Population Change for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico and Region and State Rankings: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015; http://www.census.gov/popest/data/State/totals/2015/index.html.

According to Figure 1.3 in the text, the population in Southern states, such as Texas,

  is not growing.

  is growing less than Northern states.

  is growing at an above average rate.

  is growing at a below average rate.

Question 19Texas’ first petition for statehood was denied because:

  The Spanish and Mexican settlers who remained in Texas threatened revolt

  The U.S. felt that Mexico still had a valid claim to the land

  The vast majority of Anglo settlers did not consider themselves American

  There was not a free state to balance the admittance of Texas as a slave state

Question 20In terms of the number of Texans living in urban and rural locales, what is the trend that can be seen based on U.S. Census Bureau data?

  Texas is becoming more urban.

  The Census Bureau does not track this information.

  Texas is becoming more rural.

  Texas is stable in terms of its urban vs. rural population.

Question 21The rate of population growth in Texas over the last decade can be characterized as

  Negative.

  Slow.

  Bi-generational.

  Rapid.

Question 22Southern Democrats were able to regain control of state government with the election of ________.

  1866

  1864

  1874

  1878

 Question 23Who won the battle that led to the independence of Texas from Mexico?

  James Fannin

  General Santa Anna

  Steve Austin

  Sam Houston

Question 24Opposition to laws that increase government involvement in private business is an example of which political subculture?

  Individualistic

  Mercantilistic

  Traditionalistic

  Moralistic

Question 25The discovery of oil transformed Texas by:

  Sparking the transition to an agricultural economy

  Accelerating the growth of Texas’s population

  Increasing the number of Texans who lived in rural areas

  Reinforcing and even narrowing Texans’ ideas about government

Question 26Which of the following is an exclusive power of the national government?

  conduct national elections

  regulate interstate commerce

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Exam 2

Question 1What percentage of the Texas House of Representatives is elected during a presidential election year?

  33 percent

  25 percent

  100 percent

  50 percent

Question 2What percentage of the Texas Senate is usually elected during a presidential election year?

  25 percent

  33 percent

  100 percent

  50 percent

Question 3The House Insurance Committee is hearing testimony from the Texas Department of Insurance about the effectiveness of recent procedural changes within the department. Which legislative function is this committee demonstrating?

  budget and taxation

  management

  oversight

  lawmaking

Question 4The main function of the Sunset Advisory Commission is to:

  Recommend a budget to the state legislature

  Oversee state agencies

  Redraw legislative districts

  Set the legislative calendar

Question 5A voter who wants his representative to make decisions based solely on the will of the people desires which type of representative?

  A citizen-legislator

  A trustee

  A delegate

  A professional legislator

Question 6Table 3.2 – Legislative Salaries in the 10 Most Populous States

State

Base Salary, 2014

California

$90,526

Texas

$7,200

Florida

$29,697

New York

$79,500

Illinois

$67,836

Pennsylvania

$84,012

Ohio

$60,584

Georgia

$17,342

North Carolina

$13,951

Michigan

$71,685

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures. See http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2014-ncsl-legislator-salary-and-per-diem-table.aspx.

Based on Table 3.2, how does a Texas legislator’s salary compare to other populous states?

Texas legislators are paid much more than other populous states

 Texas legislators are paid more than any other state

 Texas legislators are paid about the same as other populous states

Texas legislators are paid much less than other populous states

Question 7Most campaign contributions for Texas legislature races come from

  the candidates’ political party.

  super PACs.

  federal matching funds.

  contributors who live outside the district.

Question 8To be eligible to run for the Texas Senate you must

  have resided in the state for at least three years.

  have resided in the district for at least two years.

  be at least 26 years of age.

  meet a minimum income qualification.

 

Question 9In an average legislative session in the Texas legislature, about __ percent of all bills introduced will actually be passed into law.

  41

  11

  2

  24

Question 10Which of the following is NOT among the powers of the speaker of the house in the Texas House of Representatives?

  bill referral to committees

  appoints all members of standing committees

  appoints members to calendar committee

  committee chair appointment

Question 11In any given legislative session, most bills

  clear every hurtle, but are vetoed by the governor.

  make only minor changes to existing law.

  die in conference committee.

  pass committee muster but are voted down after floor debate.

Question 12Table 3.6 – Competitive and Noncompetitive Seats in the Texas House and Senate, 2016 Election

Safe Democratic

Safe Republican

Competitive

Unopposed

House

20 (13%)

39 (26%)

9 (6%)

82 (55%)

Senate

4 (25%)

5 (31%)

0 (0%)

7 (44%)

According to Table 3.6, does the Texas House or Senate have a greater proportion of Safe Republican seats?

  They both have an equal proportion of Safe Republican seats

  Cannot be determined

  House

  Senate

Question 13All of the following arguments for annual sessions EXCEPT:

  Annual sessions raise the legislature’s profile and check executive power

  Annual sessions afford legislators more time to study proposed legislation

  Annual sessions allow for more continuous oversight

  Annual sessions allow for more rapid responses

Question 14Which of the following groups benefits the most from gerrymandering?

  Females

  Incumbents

  Hispanics

  Democrats

Question 15How long is the Texas legislative session?

  140 days

  6 months

  one year

  two years

Question 16Why did the state of Texas draw new district lines in 2003?

  Because the 2001 map was ruled unconstitutional

  Because the Democrats won control of the legislature

  Because the Republicans won control of the legislature

  Because of reapportionment that occurred in 2002

Question 17Map 3.1 – Percentage of Women Legislators by State

 

 

 

SOURCE: Adapted from Center for American Women and Politics, Women in State Legislatures 2016. http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/women-state-legislature-2016.

According to Map 3.1, which of the states below has the lowest proportion of women in its legislature?

Tennessee

  Kansas

  Texas

  North Carolina

Question 18The practice of redrawing electoral boundaries for political advantage is known as

  Gerrymandering.

  Redistricting.

  Reallocation.

  Reapportionment.

Question 19Multimember districts promote majority representation or domination, and single-member districts can promote ________ representation.

  democratic

  geographical

  republican

  equal

Question 20What is the pay of a member of the Texas legislature, taking into account salary and per diem compensation, in a year that the legislature is in session?

  $74,100

  nothing

  $55,800

  $28,200

Question 21Which type of legislative committee is most important?

  special

  conference

  standing

  interim

Question 22Why was the Legislative Redistricting Board’s multimember plan invalidated by a federal court in 1971?

  findings in Lawrence v. Texas

  the “Matthew syndrome”

  dilution of the impact of rural voters

  possible unfairness to minority voters

Question 23In what way are Texas, Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota similar?

  All have unlimited speed limits on certain controlled-access highways.

  The legislature of each state only meets every other year.

  They are all in the central time zone.

  All four voted for Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.

Question 24Map 3.1 – Percentage of Women Legislators by State

SOURCE: Adapted from Center for American Women and Politics, Women in State Legislatures 2016. http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/women-state-legislature-2016.

According to Map 3.1, in which region of the country can legislatures with the highest proportion of women be found?

  The Midwest

  The South

  The Northwest

  The Northeast

Question 25Table 3.6 – Competitive and Noncompetitive Seats in the Texas House and Senate, 2016 Election

Safe Democratic

Safe Republican

Competitive

Unopposed

House

20 (13%)

39 (26%)

9 (6%)

82 (55%)

Senate

4 (25%)

5 (31%)

0 (0%)

7 (44%)

According to Table 3.6, which chamber is less competitive overall?

Both are equally competitive

Senate

Cannot be determined

House

 

GOVT2306 Texas Government

Exam 3

Question 1Which group was the primary target of the poll tax?

  itinerant farm workers

  individuals who did not own property

  low-income white farmers

  poor